The disallowed Police try

1969 was my fourth year as captain of the Police rugby team. First year of my captaincy was in 1963 and thereafter in 1966 and 1967, in which year the Police entered the Clifford Cup final for the first time in history and was promoted to the 'A' Division.

Before the commencement of the rugby season, whilst being stationed at the Pettah Police Station as Inspector in charge of traffic I was on special duty at the Ananda-Nalanda "Big Match" cricket encounter at the Sarvanamuttu Stadium. During the match I received information that there was a fracas between two factions and I sprang into action. In order to reach the place of the problem I had to jump over a barbed wire fence which was temporarily erected to separate the enclosures and whilst jumping over the fence my ring on my right hand finger got entangled to the top of the wooden post ripping the flesh and the skin in the finger which got pealed off like a plantain skin.

I was rushed to the Accident Service of the Colombo General Hospital in an Emergency Radio Car where a good young doctor did a delicate job of stitching my finger, putting together the torn flesh and skin which needed 17 stitches and I had to be on long medical leave as I could not use the right hand.

I went to spend this leave with my mother and to recuperate in our ancestral home "Swanganthan Walawu" at Thunnalai in Jaffna. Whilst I was there my mother expressed the desire that I should get married as it was high time and said that a close relative of ours, Dr. S.Sivanathan who lives only a quarter mile from our home had come on retirement and he has a daughter and showed me a photograph of the girl.

I, who was very attached to my mother agreed to her request and consented to get married to the girl whom I had never seen or met. Immediately my mother got a special licence from the Registrar's Office at Point Pedro, which was three miles away from our village and had the registration ceremony at the doctor's house. It was at this registration ceremony that I first set my eyes on my future wife.

After the registration I returned to Colombo and the wedding was fixed for the end of the year. The rugby season was about to commence and even though my injury was healing but was not to the extent of playing in a rugby game and I had to miss the first few matches.

Daily Mirror of 20.03.69 reported at the beginning of the rugby season. "Police have switched back to battle scarred veteran Sivendran for leadership. Sivendran was the unfortunate victim of a severe injury to his hand the other day trying to restore order at a Big Match. He underwent a one hour operation to his index finger and is recuperating before the gruelling season which needs every bit of his energetic leadership".

This year Mohan Sahayam, the fly-half from Trinity College who was famous for his "Sahayam Specials" captained CR&FC. He is now living in Australia. Havelocks was captained by the Peterite prop forward Jeyer Rodriguez who is now domiciled in Canada. CH&FC was captained again by John Burrows.

In the Police vs CR&FC match played at Police Park in which I did the touch line as touch judge. The match turned out to be a thrilling encounter in front of a huge crowd. During the dying stages of the match CR were leading by a mere 3 points. A scrum was awarded to the Police in the CR ten metres close to the touch line where I was and the ball came the Police way and went to the Police winger T.S. Pieris who scampered on the blind side to fall over the goal line. In doing so I observed his one foot stepping outside the touch line and I promptly put up the flag. But the referee Darley Ingleton had not seen this as he was in the open side and unsighted and signalled the try to the jubilation of the Police supporters. On seeing me with my flag up Darley Ingleton came and consulted me and when I told him what had happened he commended me and disallowed the try and the Police lost the game. After the match Arthur C. Dep who was a Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police and a great sportsman from St. Joseph's College who was the national record holder in pole vault walked upto me and congratulated me and said that I had made the Police very proud and that was one of his happiest days in his police life, for what I did as a touch judge.

In the Daily Mirror column, "Gallant and Gall-nuts" by Scorpio this incident was described thus, "At the Police-CR&FC rib bruiser we were afforded a fine exhibition of sportsmanship by none other than that exuberant skipper Sivendran who during a crucial moment of a tense game didn't faultier in his duties as touch judge.

The CR were leading by a mere three points and nearly ten thousand eyes were trained on the CR's goal line being defended desperately by the red-shirts in the wake of unbridled Police aggression. No one except perhaps Sivendran would have seen winger Pieris get a part of his boot touch the goal line, seconds before he had fallen for a great try.

The crowds and the referee all but ignored the upraised flag signalling the infringement and when the match was over - with CR having won the game - "Siva" and his chaps had won the hearts of the crowd for sportsmanship and gamesmanship of a tall order.

The Police top brass had a special word for their hand picked leader of their rugby team, and we were transported into three seasons ago when a similar incident of course quite in contrast cost the Army a vital semi-final game.

CR&FC touch judge raised and brought down his flag again when his club winger raced on for the match winning try. Anyway we can say we live to see the better days.

Anura Ranasinghe - One of Nalanda's greatest cricketing products

By Varuna Ratnaweera

At a time when a premier Buddhist school in the country, Nalanda completes her 75th year of great service to the nation, it is opportune to reminisce on the performances of one of Nalanda's most outstanding cricketers whose first death anniversary falls this week.

Anura Ranasinghe, born on 13th October 1965 was identified as a star of the future as early as a 10-year-old by those who saw him in action for Nalanda's junior teams.

Having been a very exciting strokemaker even during the early stages of his career, Anura played for Nalanda's First XI team with much success from 1970.

He captained the College team in 1975 in which year he also led the Sri Lanka Schools' under 19 cricket team to victory against Pakistan to win the Ali Bhutto Trophy. He was also chosen the Best Schoolboy Cricketer during the same year.

Anura Ranasinghe is also credited with the honour of being the first schoolboy to play in a World Cup when he was picked to represent the country against the West Indies in the first ever 'Prudential' World Cup tournament staged in England.

While still being a schoolboy, Anura was also chosen to play for the National Cricket team against the mighty West Indians who toured Sri Lanka with their fearsome fast bowling quartet of Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Malcolm Marshall and Vanburn Holder.

The 4 day Unofficial Test Match played at the CCC grounds which Sri Lanka was able to escape with a draw still remains fresh in the minds of those who saw Anura's heroics against these fearsome pace bowlers even without protective gear as used in the modern era.

Anura Ranasinghe became Sri Lanka's 13th Test player but his was a brief test career in which he achieved his highest score of 77 against India in 1982 before he was banned from cricket of taking part in the infamous tour to South Africa.

Though Anura Ranasinghe's batting form which rose to great heights during the season of 1975 did not click in the Big Match that year, he left a lasting impression of his remarkable ability to deceive opposing batsmen with his left arm swing bowling when he captured 14 wickets for 67 runs which todate remains the best bowling performance in the Maroons Big Match series.

Anura Ranasinghe is no more with us having breathed his last during the afternoon of 10th November last year, but he will always be remembered for his fighting qualities on the cricket field wherever this great game is followed by his fellow countrymen.

May he attain the supreme bliss of Nirvana.

Cricket intrigue continues

By Neville D. Abeygunawardena.

One of the most salient features in sports is the element of judgment based on justice and the defense of the truth, which unfortunately in our case is more wither than in bloom. It is in this innocuous field that the mind and muscle is trained to contest, yet be competitive - be relentless but reliant - and above all be fearless but fair.

However these noble virtues and lofty ideals have given way to political guile and wile - deceit and deception - trickery and treachery. The whole idea behind, is to deny by design the competent and the committed for the egoists and the selfish, in holding the plums in the administration of sports. The ploys and plots are so finely woven that an Agatha Christie or a Hitchcock would have effortlessly made best sellers in their chosen field.

Designingly in the shadows

In recent years wits, fakes and pretenders have by various manoeuvres, deprived the former stars of serving the sport they once excelled in. Some have literally appeared for a fleeting moment but thereafter gone into enforced hibernation. Though legislation guarantees a seat for the competent, thanks to sheer indifference or blissful ignorance of the ministry officials the day belongs to the fake and the wit.

Every sport has over hundred of such casualties and one would need a volume to record their names. Hence I shall touch briefly on some of these sportsmen who could have done a lot for the sport but designingly left in the shadows. (Athletics) Dr. Humphrey Perera, Duncan White, Barney Henricus, Ethiriveerasingham, Rosa, (Hockey) Wijekone brothers, Harvie, Freddie, Ettipola, Mylva, Corky, ( Soccer) Peter, Andrew, Ossen, Mahinda, Hassimdeen Snr., Edward. (Boxing) Albert Perera, H.P. Jayasuriya, Weliwitagoda, Sumith Liyanage, Handunge. (Cricket) Ivers Gunasekera, Prins, Ben Navaratna, Channa Gunasekera, Berty Wijesinghe and Warnapura of recent years. In fact it was to the credit of the present Interim Board that Stanley Jayasinghe and Chandra Schafter were called to play a role in the reconstitution of the national squad.

To have kept Stanley Jayasinghe in cold storage was a crime perpetrated on the sport. (Rugger) Jayatissa Ratwatte, Stanley Unamboowe, Ken Balendra, R. Sivaratnam, Malik Samarawickrema, Jagath Fernando would have made the local rugger scenario peerless in every aspect. Malik whose heart is strongly attached to the sport and a very knowlegeable pint size dynamo is kept aside for reasons beyond our comprehension. Another great player and a fine gentleman at that is Kavan Rambukwella - a trojan in his day yet spritely up and moving.

As I said earlier, these are a few names that flash in my mind and hundreds in other disciplines are in similar plight, not because of their own seeking but by the design of others.

The unkindest cut of all

The sudden removal of Chandra Schafter, the amiable 'horse mane' silver haired galloper - an esto perpetua product, who was only called over the other day to manage the senior national cricket team, and which he performed with tact and tenacity, leaves certainly a bad taste not only in sports circles but also in the general view of the public.

Rumour has it that the cause for Schafter's exit is the alleged LTTE connection in which he had been referred to. Be that as it may, the Interim Board has a duty to perform, not only for the sake of Schafter but also the public as well, and that is to make a detailed statement of the alleged sports ministry request to remove him. A person of Schafter's stature as Chairman of the giant Insurance Company Janashakthi, quite apart from his excellence in sports, must not be left to conjecture, speculation and pedestrian gossip in relation to his personal conduct. It is downright unfair to say the least. What the public would like to know is whether Schafter had at any time a proven track record of being an LTTE informant or activist, which has been a cause of security concern.

If the answer is in the affirmative a conviction is understandable. However if Schafter's attitude was one of sympathy to the cause of the LTTE, then it is no crime at all. Let us face facts of life in terms of the LTTE issue. Sympathy and disposition towards a cause does not necessarily mean he or she is an activist. How much has Kumar Ponnambalam and the Late Thondaman spoken and offered tacit support for the LTTE struggle. Did not the Late Thondaman advocate the handing over of the north for five years to the LTTE, and that too while being a cabinet minister of the government? Has Chandra Schafter gone that far, if so please let us know and we shall have no qualms with the authorities. Let not idle talk damage and destroy his life and that of his family.

There could be the hidden hand of a few usurpers waiting to make a wrongful entry, for that style is the order of the day in local cricket. Chandra, you may find some consolation that the sport has lost the element of wizardry for brazen crookedness. Though brief it is, you played a straight bat as you have always done and as the legal maxim pronounces, you are innocent until proved otherwise. Keep on smiling Chandra for 'veritas omnia vincit'.

Vineetha: The new Queen of Chess

By Ravi Nagahawatte

National women's chess champion Vineetha Wijesuriya is blessed with a creative mind.

The creativeness in her has not only helped her to form her moves on the chess board but also to become a doctor in ayurvedic medicine.

Vineetha sees a strong link with creativity as a chess player and performing her duties as a doctor. "Just as you have to be creative while playing on the chess board, you have to be creative in thinking out and realising the finer points of ayurvedic medicine," said Sri Lanka's number one women's chess player.

She remembers the first lessons in chess her elder sister Suneetha gave her when she was just nine-years-old.

"It was like hearing a story," says Vineetha who adds: "my sister said that there were horses that jumped to squares and how each piece was used to capture the opponent's king. My interest for chess was built on this."

Vineetha's creativeness came in handy when the family, which consisted of two sisters and a brother, decided to try the game at home.

"I made the eight pawns (the pieces with lowest value) with tonic lids and used old pen clips for the four knights and erasers for the rooks," recalls Vineetha.

She had finally used some rigifoam to turn out the chess board.

Her creativeness was seen by the public during an exhibition in school when a chess board and the pieces made out of rigifoam won her the first place for the best creation.

Having had her education at Gothatuwa Maha Vidayalaya, and Buddhists Ladies' College, she had her sights firmly fixed on becoming a doctor.

However she failed to get the necessary qualifications to enter Medical College and later decided to compensate her shattered dreams by taking up ayurvedic medicine.

"Here I learned to read horoscopes as a subject. I can predict the future quite accurately," said Vineetha.

Vineetha's exploits in the field of chess includes beating Grand Master Sutin Alexey in 1986 and getting qualified for World Rankings after the successful participation in the 1996 World Chess Olympiad in Armenia.

The fishy side of Mathew

By Shehan de Simon

What's the similarity between fishing and being an opening batsman?

The guess is right if it's patience, at least for Mathew Hayden, the reserve opening batsman for Australia

Fishing is the other sport that Mathew is involved in his spare time from cricket.

The opening batsman who looks more like an opening bowler shared some of his experiences during the past Australia tour with The Sunday Times during a short interview.

Mathew had his early childhood years in Brisbane. Since living by the coastline, no wonder he had a passion for fishing. Back in Australia he goes fishing at a place called Mortan Bay, where he goes thrice a week and usually in the early mornings.

When the Aussies were in Sri Lanka he had gone fishing in Galle (with security of course) by the sea rocks. This is with his own foldable fishing rod and gear he accompanies wherever he goes. "Generally fish hang around near the curved rock areas and where there is enough sunlight, and especially under the bent trees by rivers and ponds," he said. Mathew said that most of the fish that are found in Australia are also found here. His prey is mainly the cuttle fish and trout. He even caught a big fish and brought it to the hotel kitchen to be cooked. "Fishing teaches a lot of patience, and has helped my life and also in the field" he said.

Mathew Hayden born to a Peanut farmer, said that he picked up the willow wand and started to play the Empire Game at the tender age of three, with his brother.

There was ample space in his farm where Mathew's father had constructed a wicket in one of he bare lands. His uncles who were also cricketers had encouraged him to take up the game seriously.

At the age of 16 he played for Brisbane Club for two years.

Then he got his break and got a permanent spot in the Queensland team for the inter state competition, the 'Sheffield Shield'.

He is also the captain of the English county team Northampshire. He has signed on as the international player for Northampshire till 2001. Mathew has had a successful season in England, averaging over 60 runs in last year's season.

The Aussie has also played rugby (league) for two years as a breakaway (scrumhalf). He also enjoys surfing but not as a freak "As a sportman you should enjoy and be active in many sports you like, not just one", he said.

Mathew is employed at Queensland Credit Union Bank, as a public relations officer as well as a motivational speaker. He makes it a point to spend a lot of time with his wife after work, and she too goes fishing with him at times.

"Back in Australia we enjoy being at home with friends rather than going out" Mathew said. When everyone is free his mates and their partners get together for BBQ's in each other's home from time to time.

When asked whether the boys from Down Under enjoyed their tour in Sri Lanka, he replied saying that he enjoyed it more than in being for tours in Pakistan and India. "We find Sri Lanka very homely the people are friendlier here and the food is excellent" he added.

In the cricket scene Mathew has much respect for batsmen Steve Waugh, Tendulkar and our very own Aravinda de Silva. Bowlers the most feared ones are Akram, Ambrose, Walsh and McGrath

Finally when asked on his thoughts of the past tour he said that the only shameful thing was that two of the Test matches were washed out, specially the 3rd and the final one, or it would have been a superb tour. "But it certainly has been a memorable one" he quipped.

The women Bedsers

By Marcus Joseph

Barbara and Joan Blaker twins were the Bedsers of women's cricket in England.

They were as famous in women's cricket circles as the Bedser twins in the men's game.

Alec Bedser who was the former England opening bowler later became the chairman of the Board of Control for Cricket in England. His brother, Eric, who played along with Alec during the same period for Surrey was a fine batsman. They were twins similar in appearance and it is said that they were not only scorers' nightmare but also the opposing teams. This was between 1930 and 1950, considered as the Golden Era in English cricket.

Babara and Joan Blaker were contemporaries of Bedsers who excelled in women's cricket. They too were twins indentical in appearance. The two sisters played for Kent, East England and for All England.

Their father, Richard, was a Cambridge Blue and Kent batsman, a member of the 1906 Championship-winning team and a great friend of W.G. Grace. "Our father was horrified that we wanted to play cricket", says Barbara. "He didn't think it was a game for girls. Fortunately, we ignored his advice". The Blaker twins went on to reach the zenith of their careers playing against the touring Australians in 1937 and were picked for England's tour to Australia and New Zealand in 1939.

Both occasions were laced with drama. In 1937 they took the first Australian wicket to fall on English soil, in a 'caught B. Blaker bowled J. Blaker.'

The shortage of records has left the Blaker twins to rely on memory when discussing their careers. Joan remembers her unbeaten 105 for the East of England. Barbara recalls scoring 59 and 82 against Australia in 1937. The Blaker twins too remain one of cricket's most enduring partnerships, if forgotten by the game they love. Now 86, Mrs. Barbara Hamilton is healthy, happy and living in a luxury apartment in Kent and her sister (Barbara is older by 20 minutes), Mrs. Joan Smith lives in the same style a few doors away.

Waycoir cricket matting

Waycoir (Pvt) Ltd., the Company which produces value-added products out of coir fibre for export to international markets, has now launched a very high quality cricket matting which is much superior and lasts eight times longer than traditional hand woven cricket matting that is currently available in the market.

Waycoir cricket mattings are manufactured on fully automated German powerlooms where a product of consistently high quality is guaranteed. These cricket mattings are produced in three standard sizes: 2M x 20 M (Match matting), 2M x 10M (Practice matting) and 2 M x 6 M (Private pitch matting).

The Waycoir "private pitch" matting (2 M x 6 M ) is very popular amongst schoolboy cricketers as it is ideal for budding young cricketers to practise professionally in their own home garden. The private pitch matting is very reasonably priced and well within the reach of parents who always want to see their children achieve greater heights in cricket. Special discounts are available for schools & universities.

These products can be purchased from Waycoir showroom at 3rd floor, Majestic City (Tel. 074-510639).

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